A Testimony
28/05/2015 15:36
“Why do you wear Granny shoes?” he asked with a smirk. The ‘he’ was a friend’s friend. I was in my early twenties. I turned red. I felt small and ashamed. The truth was that all my life, I've had to wear shoes for comfort rather than style. No tap-tapping stilettos for me. No high heels. No smart sandals. The question was whether I could walk without pain. I had no choice but to wear those ‘granny shoes’. Through every season.
My doctor said ‘Blame it on your parents’. It was all a matter of genetics. As the years went by, I prayed often that God would keep me on my feet all my life. That would be wonderful. But was it possible? The pain increased all the time. In my early forties, I began buying expensive shoes and that helped for awhile. Eight years ago, I took anti inflammatory tablets for pain in my lower back and surprisingly my feet felt better. The medication helped keep me walking. It was a huge relief. Thank you God.
Unfortunately taking those anti inflammatory tablets wasn’t a good choice. Other health complications arose through them. And my feet became progressively worse. The day arrived when my husband and I knew that in order for me to keep walking I had to take some drastic measures. And so I visited specialists. I discovered what I had to do. I didn’t know if my pain would ease. But I HAD to try something.
In January 2013 I had my first operation. The bunion on my right foot was sliced, and my hammertoes spliced and rejoined. (Pardon me for sharing the gory details.) But guess what? I received a brand new foot. I also received an unexpected bonus. My flat right foot had even gained an instep. How come? It was a miracle! In January 2014 I had my left foot done. Eleven months later I was well on the way to having two new feet. My left foot also had now developed an instep. Amazing. Another miracle. Hooray.
I’d been waiting to testify to God’s goodness in January 2015 – when I should have had two working feet to boast of. But in Dec. 2014 my feet rebelled. Both my achilles tendons got inflamed. Ouch. Hobble.. hobble… hobble. That was me. Hobble… hobble… hobble! Oh dear. My doctor had me doing daily stretches, assuring me they’d be fine by April. But April came and went and the tendons were still very painful. I was still hobbling.
Two weeks ago, a pastor with the gift of healing came to our church. I had a shopping list for God – I hoped it was on His agenda to heal me of my 10 year battle with fibromyalgia plus a number of other health complaints. God did heal many people and I praise Him with all my heart. What an awesome experience it was seeing God at work. I went up for prayer but nothing happened. And so, that Friday night when I went to bed – I had mixed feelings. I rejoiced with all those who had received healing. But I also felt a little let-down. On Saturday morning, when I woke up and walked to our dining room, I made a joyful discovery. The pain in my Achilles tendons was gone. Just like that. I wasn’t hobbling anymore. God had healed them. Wow.
And so today I am shouting from the rooftops that our God heals. That He is alive. That He cares. During many Christmases past, I’d be singing ‘All I want for Christmas are two new feet”. Today it’s almost 7 months to Christmas. But I've received a fabulous early Christmas gift. Two new feet. Yay. Thank you God.
Thank you Jesus. Thank you with all my heart.
I believe God heals in diverse ways. Through medicine. Through a surgeon’s hands. Through the prayers of a believer. Through His divine touch. He is alive and active in our world today. Today I offer Him a heart that’s filled with gratitude and praise. I will dance before Him all the days of my life. I will always remember what He’s done for me. Join me as I celebrate His amazing goodness and proclaim His awesome power.
“For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.” Psalm 18:31-33